The Romantic Pact (Kings of Football)(60)

“Sounds good.” As he starts toward the bathroom, I call out, “Are you nervous about the package at the hotel?”

“I don’t know if I’m scared or apprehensive. Either way, I feel as though I’m not going to be able to appreciate the town we’re supposed to be visiting today.”

“Same.”

“Don’t worry about breakfast, by the way. We can pick up some egg sandwiches and coffee from that place downstairs.”

“Sounds good.”

He ducks into the bathroom, and I sit back up on the bed, pulling out the picture of Gloria and Pops. It’s faded—the colors almost all seem to mesh together—but their smiles are clear and so is the crooked building in the background. I wish I’d met Gloria, but she passed away before we were even a thought. Seeing this side of Pops makes me wonder if I’ll ever experience the love they did. He was so kind and thoughtful, romantic with his beautiful wife, and sensitive to two young kids who needed his wisdom. Still need his wisdom. Makes me wistful.

According to the many stories Pops shared about Gloria, she and I share the same vivacious attitude and hate being told we won’t achieve something we set out to do.

Maybe that’s why Pops liked me so much, because I reminded him of his Gloria.

I rub my thumb over the picture, smiling to myself.

“What do you think, Gloria? Think I’m crazy to like your grandson?” I sigh. “Yeah, crazy stupid.”





“Thank you,” Crew says to a fellow tourist who took a picture of us together in front of the Pl?nlein.

“Of course,” the guy says before walking off with his boyfriend. While we waited in line, we struck up a conversation with them and found out they were on their first official trip together as a couple. We took a picture for them and they were kind enough to return the favor. “Enjoy your stay.” They wave and we wave back.

From my back pocket, I pull out the picture from Pops and hold it next to Crew’s phone. We compare the pictures and, once again, it feels like Pops is here, looking over our shoulders, enjoying the picture with us.

“My mom will love this picture.” Crew sends it to her and then he stuffs his phone in his pocket. He brings his hands to his mouth and blows in them. “Fuck, it’s cold out today. Usually the sun helps warm things up, but with a storm coming, I feel as if my dick is turning into an icicle.”

“That’s a visual,” I say.

“I don’t know if I can stay outside too long.”

I pat him on the back. “That California blood of yours is really showing.”

“You’re telling me you’re not cold right now?”

I shrug. “It’s cold but I’m not going to be dramatic about it.”

Crew’s head swivels to face me. “Are you calling me dramatic?”

“Yes.”

He nods, nostrils flared. “Okay, I see how it is.”

“Good. Glad you can recognize the truth.” I loop my hand through his arm and say, “Let’s go into that shop over there. It has beer steins.”

“I’ll go anywhere as long as it’s not outside.”

As we walk toward the shop, I ask, “Am I going to have to get you something warm to drink in order to make it to the wall?”

“You might.”

“Why aren’t you wearing the scarf I bought you?”

“Left it back at the car.”

“Well, that wasn’t very smart, was it?” I ask as Crew opens the door to the shop for me.

We’re instantly hit with warmth, and Crew groans. “Oh, that feels fucking good.”

Turning toward him, I say, “That sounded really sexual.”

“This very well might be a sexual experience for me,” he says, rubbing his hands together.

“You’re pathetic.”

“I’m aware.” He laughs, and I guide us over to the quirky beer steins.

“I want to get something for Mia and Grandpa Thomas.” I pick up a stein and nearly choke on the price. “Holy shit, these are expensive.”

Crew picks one up and takes a look at the price. “Sixty euros isn’t bad.”

“Says the boy who grew up outside LA in a house that overlooks the ocean,” I say, the tone of my voice snarkier than before.

“Hey, I didn’t mean to be insulting.”

“I know. Sorry. I was just surprised is all.”

“You know we still have a huge dent to make in the money Pops left us.”

“I’m not using that money to buy gifts for Mia and Grandpa Thomas.”

“Why not?” He casually picks up another stein. “I used it to buy those pant-less cherubs. He said to use the money however we wanted.”

“You used it for the cherubs?” I ask, feeling as though it might be okay for me to use it since Crew did.

“Hell yeah.”

“Okay.” I nibble on my bottom lip. “But I still don’t want to pay sixty dollars for a beer stein.”

“This one is thirty.” Crew holds up a more decently sized one.

“Really?” I take it from him and examine it. “Think you can fit a normal-sized beer in here?”

“Do you expect Mia and Grandpa Thomas to actually use them?”